PEYTON — As COVID-19 continues to impact lives around the world, the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Colorado is helping kids' dreams come true.
On Friday, the organization surprised 12-year-old Thomas Cooper with an Action Trackchair which is designed to navigate hills and uneven terrain.
Thomas has duchenne muscular dystrophy, a genetic disorder that causes muscle degeneration and weakness.
"I have trouble walking and it gets harder and weaker to do things," said Thomas.
Vesmer and Callaway Cooper says both of their sons were born with DMD. Their son Andrew has already had a wish granted through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
"We go to the children's hospital in Denver twice a year for a biannual checkup. They have a great team up there who does a lot of stuff with us," said Vesmer. "During one appointment, Thomas said I want a trackchair because we go hunting with an organization that sponsors hunts for children in wheelchairs or with other disabilities."
Vesmer says he coordinated with Make-A-Wish to make his son's wish come true.
"It takes a long time because Make-A-Wish has to do a lot of things to make a wish happen. They finally got everything approved and worked out and about a month ago they contacted me," said Vesmer.
Vesmer and the organization organized the surprise at Daniels Park in Denver. He says he never told anyone in the family that it was happening.
"I just told them we were looking for a side by side so we could do things as a family outside. It was a surprise for everyone," said Vesmer.
He says the Action Trackchair will provide his son with more freedom during hunting trips.
"I wanted it so I can go hunting and off-roading and do more stuff with my dad," said Thomas.
"We are very grateful for Make-A-Wish especially during COVID. The whole family, with the exception of medical appointments, they've been sequestered at home for six months. He is just so happy, and wants to do things. He's like dad can we go to the parks or the state parks.
Thomas says he already has several trips planned with his new chair.
